Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9391)
The official title is the "Charter of the City of Catbalogan" as stated in Republic Act No. 9391.
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of Catbalogan shall be within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of Catbalogan, subject to resolution of any existing boundary disputes.
The City has powers such as perpetual succession, suing and being sued, using a corporate seal, acquiring and conveying property, entering contracts, and exercising other powers granted to municipal corporations under the law.
The key elective officials are the city mayor, city vice mayor, and sangguniang panlungsod members.
The candidate must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the City of Catbalogan for at least one year prior to the election, and a qualified voter of the city.
Both the city mayor and city vice mayor shall hold office for three years unless sooner removed.
The city mayor must communicate the veto with reasons within ten days. The sangguniang panlungsod can override the veto by a two-thirds vote of all members, making the ordinance effective.
The sangguniang panlungsod serves as the city's legislative body, enacting ordinances, approving budgets, granting franchises, and providing for the general welfare, among other duties.
They can impose fines not exceeding five thousand pesos, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, at the court's discretion, and other penalties consistent with the Local Government Code.
Permanent vacancy in the mayor's office is filled by the city vice mayor. A permanent vacancy in the vice mayor's office is filled by the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member. Subsequent vacancies are filled by other sanggunian members based on their rank.
The secretary is appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of sangguniang panlungsod members. The appointee must be a citizen, resident of the city, of good moral character, a college degree holder preferably in law, commerce, or public administration, and first grade civil service eligible or equivalent.
The city treasurer manages city funds, advises city officials on finance matters, oversees disbursement of funds, inspects establishments for tax compliance, maintains tax information, and performs other functions as provided by law.
It is composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, ten regular sanggunian members, the presidents of the city chapter of liga ng mga barangay and panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan, three sectoral representatives, and other members as provided by law.
The sangguniang panlungsod must hold at least one regular session per week. Sessions are generally open to the public unless a closed-door session is ordered for reasons like security, decency, or morality with majority affirmative vote.
Members may be censured, reprimanded, excluded from sessions, suspended for up to 60 days, or expelled through the appropriate vote. Conviction by final judgment for crimes involving moral turpitude results in automatic expulsion.
The City of Catbalogan shall not impose any increase in the rates of local taxes for five years after acquiring corporate existence.
The city courts of Catbalogan and metropolitan trial courts or city/municipal courts of adjoining municipalities or cities have concurrent jurisdiction in the drainage area under police jurisdiction.
The first and second highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod members shall become the city mayor and vice mayor, respectively. If one or both cannot serve, the next highest ranking sangguniang member(s) shall fill the vacancy(ies).
The city legal officer acts as chief legal counsel, represents the City in legal actions, drafts legal documents, advises city officials, investigates misconduct, prosecutes violations, and supports the promotion of rule of law.